How to Remove Velcro

Louise Harding

Velcro was invented in 1948 and ever since the patent for Velcro was secured in 1955, this handy product has been helping items open and close, and stay put with ease. All Velcro is composed of two parts. According to Hook and Loop, the soft side is called the loop and the prickly side is called the hook. Velcro is attached by one of two methods: adhesive or sewing. Removing Velcro requires the identification of the attachment method. Once the method of attachment is determined, you can properly remove the Velcro from whatever object to which it is adhered or sewn.

Removing Velcro Attached by Adhesives

Step 1

Pull the corner of the Velcro up as much as possible with one hand, while holding the object to which the Velcro is attached with your other hand.

Step 2

Slide the dinner knife beneath the gummy adhesive and add a few drops of Goo Gone or a similar citrus-based adhesive remover. According to Velcro, "The best method to remove any of our adhesive-backed products is to use a citrus-based adhesive remover. Be sure to read the instructions on the adhesive remover carefully." Do not use Goo Gone on leather, suede, satin or silk fabrics.

Step 3

Push and wiggle the knife, alternating prying with the knife with tugging the Velcro upward with your hand until you have peeled the Velcro from the object. Goo Gone can be rubbed into the remaining adhesive with your finger to dissolve the glue.

Step 4

Clean the adhesive residue left from the Velcro off the object by either washing the fabric item in the washing machine with clothes detergent as you would for that type of article, or use a wet sponge with dishwashing liquid applied to the rigid item. Goo Gone can also be used to clean the sticky residue from an object. Wipe the excess citrus-based cleaner away with a wet sponge.

Removing Sewn Velcro

Step 5

Pull back a corner of the Velcro loops or hooks with your hand to expose a stitch.

Step 6

Slide the seam ripper under the visible stitch until the metal hook of the ripper makes contact with the stitch. Push against the stitch with the cutting part of the ripper (the inside of the hook) to cut or "pop" the stitch.

Step 7

Work the seam ripper along the sewn seam of the Velcro one or two stitches at a time. You may be able to work on the reverse side of the fabric by removing the visible stitches sewn there.